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Nintendo May Release a Phone Case That Doubles as a Game Boy

Trace William Cowen is a writer based in Los Angeles. He tweets with dramatic irregularity here.

Oct 05, 2018

Image via Getty/FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP

Want to turn your phone into a fully functioning Game Boy via an officially licensed Nintendo case? Soon, you may be able to do exactly that.

Per a Varietyreport filed Friday, Nintendo has patented a case complete with "functioning buttons and directional pad." The case encloses the phone and, by way of a conductive sheet, gives users the unique opportunity of ignoring texts from loved ones in favor of Game Boy–ing. The case even temporarily modifies the phone's display to recreate the square screen found on the original handheld system cherished by gamers many, many years ago.

Though Nintendo hasn't made a formal announcement yet, news of the patent (first spotted by Siliconera) was coupled by speculation from some that the case could be dropping before year's end. At this point, keeping excitement to a minimum is probably a good idea.

The nostalgia business, despite its inherent existential quandaries, is booming quite well for all involved parties, even direct Nintendo competitors. Last month, for example, Sony announced the impending launch of the PlayStation Classic. The comfortably sized throwback device arrives pre-loaded with 20 classic titles, including Final Fantasy VII and Tekken 3, and retails for a reasonable $99. The presumed blockbuster hits shelves Dec. 3 and pre-orders are already underway at select North American shops. If anyone at Sony or some related entity is reading this and wants to send me a free one, just know that you should feel absolutely free to do so.